Archived updates for Friday, January 19, 2007

Bahrain Accedes to the PCT

Bahrain became the 136th contracting state of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) when it deposited its instrument of accession at WIPO on December 18, 2006. The Treaty will enter into force for Bahrain on March 18, 2007.

The accession by Bahrain means that in any international application filed on or after March 18, 2007, Bahrain (country code: BH) will automatically be designated, and as it will be bound by Chapter II of the Treaty, will automatically be elected in any demand for international preliminary examination filed in respect of an international application filed on or after March 18, 2007. Also, as of that date, nationals and residents of Bahrain will themselves be able to file PCT applications.